TWO suspects in the robbery of a Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop in Sitio Looc, Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City last Wednesday morning were arrested in a gasoline station in Consolacion yesterday afternoon.
The video of the robbery that was saved in the cellphone of businessman Alex Gica Ong, their alleged cohort who is in custody, led to their arrest.
Chief Insp. Conrado Manatad, chief of Lapu-Lapu Police Station 2, said Ong divulged the whereabouts of Philam Camingawan, 35, and Romnick Jumao-as, 24. Both men are residents of Lapu-Lapu City.
Their other accomplice, who is only known as Melio, is still at large. Melio reportedly hails from Surigao.
Cebuana Lhuillier lost P88,000 cash after three men declared a holdup when the establishment was about to open last Wednesday morning.
Later that day, Manatad’s team intercepted Ong, the driver of a white Toyota Fortuner, near the Marina Mall in Barangay Pusok.
Ong was identified by the pawnshop’s security guard Gorgonio Hyolim and Jeaneth Layos, the branch manager, as one of the culprits.
Caught on camera
Manatad said Ong served as a lookout. He parked his vehicle in front of the pawnshop so the holdup would not be noticed.
“Ong’s cellphone has the video of the robbery in Cebuana,” he said.
Using the white Toyota Fortuner, authorities and Ong went to Barangay Tayud in Consolacion after the businessman texted Camingawan and Jumao-as to meet him.
It was past 2 p.m. when police arrested the two suspects.
Camingawan and Jumao-as said Melio, who has the loot, only gave them P3,000 each.
The two were also identified by Hyolim and Layos.
Ong earlier denied he was part of the robbery. He said he was just there for a personal errand.
Manatad said Ong’s team also robbed Xiong Sohn stall, which sells roasted pork and chicken, on M.V. Patalinjug Ave. in Barangay Pajo last Tuesday night.
They were also identified as suspects in the robbery of Cebuana Lhuillier in Daanbantayan and Bingo Botique in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu, among others.